Use

Opening the machine

Key is on the top and the keyhole is right under the bill acceptor. This unlocks a handle which pops out. Unscrew that for a decent number of turns,
then the front panel opens like a refrigerator door with the hinge on your left. You will need to lift the door to open it, and especially to close it.

Stocking the machine

If you open the machine door, there are 8 slots for stocking beverages. They are labelled 1 through 8 which correspond to the order of the 8 buttons on front used to select your beverage. Slots 1-4 are "wide" slots that hold 64 cans each, while slots 5-8 are narrow and only hold 34 cans each.

It helps to load in two cans at a time (stacked top to bottom) into each slot in order to be able to fill each slot to max capacity. For the narrow slots, each layer of 2 cans will stack perfectly atop the previous 2. For the wide slots, each layer of two cans will stack atop but to the side of the previous layer, alternating to the left and right with each layer.

I've had one can get smashed up by the machine when I loaded a single lone can incorrectly last atop the stack. To avoid this, try to stock an even number of new cans at a time, so that you are always adding two cans at a time. If you end up with only one can for your last stack, just vend one can from that stack to make a pair for the top.

If you are just adding more product to partially stocked slot, you need only to stack it correctly atop the current stock. However if you've stocked up a slot that was previously emptied/sold-out, you need to vend that slot until something comes out to "prime" the slot if you will. (In other words, if you loaded something in the previously empty slot #6, you should take some quarters or a dollar or two from the machine and keep buying one until a can comes out the door. Once it's dispensing each time you can load back in the "test" sodas as normal.) Close the door all the way, lock it and return the key.

Maintenance

Purchase Support Info

We bought the Machine from Gary (not sure of his last name)

We have a 90 day warranty starting 1/4/2011

Gary's number:

cell: 510-300-4836
office: 510-710-9126

Service manual for our vending machine (Dixie-Narco model DNCB 368)

Lights

Lightbulbs are 5' fluorescent with a single prong on each side. Part # when ordering is F64T12/D. City Lights is the closest place to buy these.
They are on Folsom between 11th St. and 12th St. Phone number is (415) 863-2020. Neither Lowes nor Discount Hardware carries this type of bulb.

Ballast

On January 15, 2010, the ballast that came with the machine was tested and found to work. Ballast is located directly underneath
the drink dispenser tray. Ballast mounting plate is held in by three phillips-head screws

Hacking

Please hack this machine gently and with confidence. We'd like to keep it working and stocked so it can earn money for Noisebridge. Failed Hacks that result in us spending the vending profits to fix are not excellent.

The vending machine speaks DEX/UCS protocol to a "handheld terminal." A quick search reveals that's a serial protocol at 9600 baud, most likely at TTL levels (NOT RS-232) on a 1/4 inch stereo jack. Details of the protocol were not easily found, and likely involve checksums and/or audit information. Not clear this is worth hacking as there are some indications this communication only happens in "service mode" when the door is open and thus simultaneous vending is not possible.

A possibly simpler hacking solution is to instrument the various switches and motors to get data directly.

This won't really help. Because of basic thermodynamics, the compressor needs to run a certain amount: if the duty cycle is low enough to save energy, the drinks will be warm. Trust the thermostat! However, a timer could possibly shift the time the compressor runs to put the noise in the wee hours of the morning.

Also, make sure any timer switch you use is rated for at least 11 amps, and I would say 15 to be safe! Jtfoote 05:27, 5 January 2011 (UTC)

Possible solution: The manual seems to describe timer features built in to the machine. More research needed.

Problem:Noise. And not the good kind. The "gets-really-annoying-really-fast" kind.

Possible solution: A high tech noise dampening leopard print slipper was placed between the noisy vibrating bits. Is the noise still offensive?

How to contribute

Buy some drinks and either leave them on top and they'll be loaded in or if you're feeling ambitious load them in yourself.

Money log

This is where we'll keep a record of the money 'earned' by the vending machine, the money spent on product, and the money donated to noisebridge and any other costs that come up.